From Manchester: Unplugged to a debut album: The Guest List release Something Real
One of the skills behind producing Manchester: Unplugged is finding the right song, a story worth telling and a great band at an interesting point in their career.
The Guest List ticked all three.
Laura had been following the Manchester band for a while when she approached them about taking part in her series.
There was already a real buzz building around them, but it was their new single Something Real that caught her attention, not only as a brilliant song, but because there was clearly much more to its story.
It became the focus of the fifth Manchester: Unplugged film.
Laura researched the band and song in depth, worked closely with the band and manager Jake to develop the story, and she interviewed Cai, Tom, Sid, Leio and Angus about the songwriting, lyrics and studio decisions that shaped Something Real, including recording with producer Matias Téllez over in Norway.
The film was shot at The Deaf Institute and CULTPLEX, two Manchester venues with connections to the band's story, and included an exclusive stripped-back performance of Something Real by songwriter and frontman Cai Alty.
Producing the film involved much more than the shoot itself. From identifying the artist and song and finding the story, to research, talent relationships, locations, crew and shaping the final film through post-production, Laura produced the project from the initial idea through to release.
And the timing turned out to be pretty special.
On 28 August, The Guest List released their debut album.
Its title? Something Real.
The album arrives after a huge period for the Manchester five-piece, with touring, major festival appearances and a rapidly growing audience, and is already picking up some brilliant reviews.
For Laura, it's a lovely full-circle moment.
Manchester: Unplugged captured the band at a pivotal point in their journey and gave them the space to tell the story behind a song that has now gone on to become the title track of their debut album.
